File Splitter 2.0
Copyright (C) Max V. Zinal, 1998


1. What is File Splitter?
File Splitter is the program that can split any file into several fragments and then restore (merge) the source file. For example, you can use it to store a big file on several 1.44 MB disks. The program can also calculate check sums of the fragments, save them in a special file (*.fsc) and then use such file to check whether the source file was restored correctly or not. File Splitter doesn't need any special installation, requires about 230 KB of your hard disk space and doesn't write anything to your system registry.


2. License agreement
This software - File Splitter - is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. You do not need to pay for using this software, but you must remember that Author (Max V. Zinal) is not responsible for any damage of your data or your system, even if this damage is the result of the incorrect work of the File Splitter.
(I can only say that such a simple program can't have such extremly dangerous errors. It had been tested for a long time, and I did not find any serious bugs.)
For any commercial use of the File Splitter you need the written consent by the author.


3. How to use File Splitter?
        3.1 General description
File Splitter in the work uses two main parameters which must be set by the user:
   - a name of a file to Split/Merge;
   - name and path to the file fragments folder.
Besides it, while splitting it is also necessary to establish the size of fragments (in case of cutting a file to equal fragments), or to establish the "Floppy" mode, with which sizes of fragments are defined by free space on the drive containing a folder of file fragments (for example, if you want to keep a large file on several diskettes). If you want to use calculation of the control sums or to remove initial files, set the appropriate tags. The fragments are located in the specified folder, their names coincide with a name of an initial file with addition of number extension. Similarly, with mergering File Splitter searches for files with the appropriate names in a folder of file fragments. (see note to item 3.3 - Messages during the work). The file with .FSC extension will be generated if you select to calculate the checksums.

        3.2 How to Split/Merge a file
      a) Enter a name of a file into the field "Name of the file to split/merge", or press the "Browse" button and choose a file from the list.
      b) Enter a name of a folder of file fragments, including a complete path, or press the "Browse" button and choose the necessary element of the directory tree.
      c) In case of splitting establish the size of fragments (by choosing it from the dropping out list or by entering manually). Establish modes of removal of initial files and calculation of checksums if necessary. If you need to split a file on fragments written down on several floppy disks, or to merge a file, which fragments are stored on several flops, choose the "Floppy" mode from the list.
      d) Press the "Split" button to split a file, and "Merge" to restore.

        3.3 Messages during the work
        With work of the program there can be error messages of input/output. In most cases File Splitter will give you the opportunity to repeat the operation which has caused a mistake. If after the end of mergering you will be informed about discrepancy of the control sums for some fragments, it means that was damaged either this fragment, or the file of the control sums. Attempt to apply a mode of calculating checksums during operation of mergering with no file of the control sums in the file fragments folder will cause the appropriate message.
        An error "No space left on drive" (Disk full) can appear during splitting of a file into fragments of the fixed size, but not with use of a "Floppy" mode.
        The message "Can't find the first fragment" means that the folder specified as a folder of file fragments does not contain a file with a name perceived File Splitter as a name of the first fragment.


        Note.
In split and merge modes the names of fragments are generated equally. Let's look as it occurs on an example.
Let in the field "File to split/merge" is the name C:\MyData\BigFile.zip , and in the field "Folder of file fragments" - path C:\MyData\Fragm. Then the names of fragments will be something like C:\MyData\BFFragm\BigFile.zip.NNN, where NNN - number extension. Accordingly, the name of the first fragment -  C:\MyData\Fragm\BigFile.zip.01 (as number of symbols of extension can vary, such variants are possible: *.1, *.01, *.001 and so on)
        If the names of the file fragments differ from standard (for example, the long names were lost after copying fragments with NC for DOS or its analogue), it is possible to specify a "Floppy" mode that allows you to specify a name of each fragment manually (Naturally, you should keep up that the fragments should go in the correct order).


        3.4 Command line parameters.
File Splitter can be started from a command line with the following parameters:
       FSPLIT  [source]  [target]  [size]  [key]
[source] - file for split/merge. The name should contain a complete path;
[target]  - complete path to a folder of file fragments;
[size]     - size of a fragment in kilobytes, or a special parameter FLOPPY;
[key]     - one or several managing keys.
The managing keys are:
       /SPLIT    (to split an initial file),
       /MERGE (to restore a file),
       /TEST     (checksums),
       /MOVE   (to remove initial files),
       /QUIT     (to finish File Splitter upon termination of operation).
It is necessary to remember:
              a) that with use of managing keys first three parameters must be present;
              b) that the managing keys should be separated one from another and from other parameters by spaces;
              c) that it is necessary to set long names of files containing blanks in inverted commas;
              d) that the parameter FLOPPY must be used if you want to split a file into fragments for floppy disks or merge a file from flopps;
              e) that the keys /SPLIT and /MERGE can't be set at the same time.
        3.5 Possible problems
With work with File Splitter it is necessary to remember, that
              a) With division of a file on diskettes the new folder for file fragments does not form, i.e. if you enter as a folder of file fragments something like A:\AnyPath and there is no folder AnyPath on disk A:, you will receive the message on a mistake.
              b) File Splitter is arranged in such a manner that that part of the read buffer, which was not kept on a current disk because of shortage of space should be kept on the next disk. The size of the buffer - 64 kilobytes, therefore in the most worse case on the next disk should have 64 KB of free space. If places on a disk is unsufficient, the appropriate message will appear.


4. Where it is possible to receive File Splitter
You can download the last version of the given product from my home page on XOOM.COM . Please send the remarks, offer, messages on the noticed bugs by e-mail: max_vz@xoommail.com. My electronic address has changed; the mail sent to the former address can be lost.


5. Changes in the program from version to version.

The basic difference between versions 1.10 and 1.00 is the increased speed of calculation of the control sums. It is necessary to note, that the new algorithm works much faster only for fragments of certain sizes (specified in the dropping out list). In other cases the speed will also increase, but it will not be so high as for recomended fragments sizes.

In version 1.20 I added the support of parameters of a command line, eliminated an interface bug with the progress bar and corrected some other small mistakes. Some internal changes were brought in to facilitate transition to following version 2.00.

In the given version (2.00) I added an opportunity to split/merge files directly to and from floppy disks and to enter manually the names of the file fragments. A number of less significant changes and corrections were brought in.


6. Special thanks
To those who tested File Splitter:
Igor V.  Polyakoff           polyakoff@geocities.com
Paul V.  Milov                 paul_vm@geocities.com
I must also thank all those people who have sent me the letters with wishes and offers, and also with the messages on the mistakes found in the program.




        November, 22, 1998
        Max V. Zinal

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